Brandon Valley School District proposes roughly $72 million 2025-26 budget; special‑education fund flagged as fragile

Business Manager Lundberg presented the Brandon Valley School District 49-2 proposed budget for fiscal 2025-26 at the district’s annual budget hearing, outlining roughly $72 million in total revenues and a general fund appropriation of $42,948,000.

Lede: Lundberg told the school board the proposed budget “meets all the needs and provides a robust education experience” while maintaining a 2.5% salary increase plus benefits for staff, and he said the district will complete a new elementary school and an addition to the middle school within current mill levies.

Nut graf: The presentation balanced near‑term investments in staff and facilities with warnings about a fragile special‑education fund and an ongoing, multi‑year revenue effect from state legislation. Lundberg said the district’s fund‑balance policy and a strong bond rating help preserve financial stability, but he urged caution because special‑education reserves remain small and certain state changes will reduce short‑term revenue growth.

The board was shown fund appropriations and projected year‑end balances.…